The Margaret River and Augusta Libraries are now closed for an indefinite period in response to COVID-19 threat.

Earlier today Shire of Augusta Margaret River Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Addison-Brown announced the Shire will be ceasing to deliver non-essential, public-facing services in a bid to preserve both staff and community safety as the COVID-19 public health emergency continues to unfold.

The Shire libraries are working towards finding new ways of serving our community whilst closed to the public and all new initiatives will be announced on our blog.

Subscribe to our blog amrlibraries.com for more updates, news and information on your local library service.

Library members can also access e-resources  from our website including e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, language, English as a Second Language and resume help, stream movies and many others suitable for children and youth. Use your library card barcode to login and check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) if you need assistance.

Keep reading and smiling!

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River Library Service has been reviewing and changing its operations in response to the Federal Government’s announcements on COVID-19.

Our Libraries are taking measures to minimise the contamination risk of COVID-19 to staff and members very seriously.

• We would like to stress the importance of the role of libraries in maintaining the welfare of our communities and staff during times of crisis.
• We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and are following WA Health & Federal government guidelines.
• Mitigating risk whilst remaining open for our community is our priority.

Our Current Plan is to …

• Provide a positive and welcoming community space.
• Operating hours stay the same for the time being.
• Events and programs will be postponed until further notice
• Library staff are wiping public desks, Print Release and photocopier, iPAC computers, SmartServes etc at least an extra three times a day, in addition to our usual cleaning services.
• Encouraging people to use card services for payment of services
• Encouraging people to take out 30 items as per current loan policy.
• Public PC users are encouraged to use antiseptic wipes on the keyboard and mouse prior to use.
• Public wifi available.
• E-services are available 24/7.
• COVID-19 literature in multi languages is on display.
• Community jigsaw puzzle unavailable at present however there are plenty of jigsaws available for loan.

The Federal Government’s position is that  as long as we follow social distancing advice, have no more than 100 people in a single enclosed space and have good cleaning practices in place our facilities can remain open.

The health and safety of our members, customers and staff is our highest concern at this time. The Shire of Augusta Margaret River Library Services will provide regular updates to members on the changing situation.

Unfortunately Auslan Chat at Margaret River Library has been cancelled until further notice.

If you are keen to practice some Auslan, you may find the Signbank website useful 🙂

Apologies for the inconvenience, we will advise when meetings are set to resume.

Please note that the Spaced 4 information session that was to have been held at the Margaret River Library tomorrow (Wednesday 18 March) has been cancelled.

We apologise for any inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding.

Following advice from health authorities regarding gatherings and social distancing, we are sorry to announce that the Building Bridges Harmony Day event that was to have been held at the Margaret River Library on 19 March has now been cancelled.

We apologise for any inconvenience, and would like to offer our community these suggestions for alternative ways of celebrating Harmony Day:

• Drop into the library, borrow some LOTE (Languages Other Than English) books & DVDs and have a Harmony Day festival at home
• Stay at home and use your library membership to stream foreign films and/or download LOTE e-books (Click here to get started)
• Smile and wave to your neighbours, as we all do our bit to encourage harmony and compassion during trying times

Thursday 19th March, 5.30 – 7.30pm

The Intercultural Action Group welcomes the community to the ‘Building Bridges Harmony Day Celebration’ being held at the Margaret River Library on Thursday 19th March. Guests are encouraged to bring a plate to share, dress up and be prepared for Bollywood Dancing. FUN for the whole family!

Please RSVP the name of the dish you are bringing to: amrlibrary@amrshire.wa.gov.au or Ph: 9780 5600

The Library is an inclusive venue with plenty of parking. All welcome.

Friday is Library Lover’s Day, come visit us and leave a love message to your Library and take the opportunity to let us know your “book crush.”

Library staff are also sharing the love by hand picking their favourite books for you to read.

Love is indeed in the air happy reading !

#LibraryLoversDay

The Soundtrack: Art and Movement exhibition by emerging local artist Silvia Busetto is set to be displayed in the Cocoon Gallery at the Margaret River Library from 1 February to 31 March 2019.
The exhibition predominantly aims to depict the beauty and expression of human form in movement, particular dancers and musicians as they go about their own art.
Silvia uses her watercolour for most of works but incorporates mixed mediums for a number of pieces, reflecting her constant artistic style evolution.
“I started as a watercolourist but have enjoyed expanding on the media, formats and techniques use, particularly since living in artistically and culturally rich Margaret River,” she said.

Originally from a small town in northern Italy, Silvia became interested in art in her younger years spending most of her free time reading, drawing, painting, taking photographs and volunteering at a local community cinema.
She said these passions collided in adulthood when she opened comic shop Shion Art which she ran until migrating to Australia in 2013.
“Since leaving Italy and the comic shop it’s my love for painting that has grown the most,” she said.
“I still pay homage to my roots and use the name Shion Art and the artist signature on my paintings.”
Silvia invites the local community to join her in celebrating the opening of her exhibition at a celebratory Meet the Artist event 6pm to 7.30pm on Thursday 6 February 2020 at the Margaret River Library.
As light refreshments will be provided it is requested anyone interested RSVP to info@shionart.it  or 0478 622 699 by Wednesday 5 February 2020.
The Cocoon Gallery is the library’s exhibition space used for talent emerging local artists. Exhibitions rotate approximately every two months.
Margaret River Library is an accessible venue.